Aaron Burkes
CEO
Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Aaron Burkes joined the Northwest Arkansas National Airport in November 2018. Currently, he serves as a member of the Transportation Industry Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and serves on the board for Arvest Bank of Benton County. He previously served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet as president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. Prior to joining state government, Burkes worked as a vice president of administration/ CFO and other senior leadership roles with Madison College and as the executive director of a regional planning commission and council of governments in Iowa.
Burkes is a former state representative in the Arkansas General Assembly and has more than 17 years of banking and real estate development experience in Northwest Arkansas. He has a B.S. from the University of Arkansas, an M.A. in economics from Clemson University and a J.D. from Baylor University. He is a licensed attorney and licensed contractor.
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Life begins at 50, the saying goes, to which the incomparable Phyllis Diller once replied, “Maybe it’s true that life begins at 50. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out or spread out.” (The women and men included on the following pages, at least, will find that funny … not to mention, they actually know who Phyllis Diller is.)
Fifty is the new 40, or something like that, but in this Ponce de Leon age of youth worship, we at AMP thought it would be nice to recognize those business leaders in Arkansas who aren’t under 40 or in their 20s. Once one hits the milestone age of 50, life doesn’t stop, after all. For many, it speeds up. Nominated by readers, the leaders recognized in AMP’s inaugural Fifty Over 50 list haven’t slowed down — they have realized more success, achieved new goals and even launched entirely new chapters. And we salute them.
The vigor of youth is a beautiful and necessary thing. But so is the wisdom and discernment of age. Besides, like the saying goes, 50 is nothing more than the new 40, right?
The members of AMP’s inaugural Fifty Over 50 list were nominated by readers. They represent a broad spectrum of Arkansas business, industry and politics. They are former state legislators, business owners, CEOs
and more who represent industries ranging from farming and construction
to restaurants and retail.
Some of them started on an upward trajectory early in their careers and haven’t slowed down. Others began new chapters later in their journeys and achieved success — and made profound impacts on their communities — in new ways.
We’re proud to recognize these women and men-… experienced, seasoned Arkansas leaders whose collective journey is just beginning.
Click here to see the full list of 2022 AMP Fifty Over 50!